He enlisted under the alias John Groff (9, 10).
He was born in Germany (8). He was 18 years old when he was enlisted (8).
He was a huck[ster] when he was enlisted (8).
He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (8).
He also served in company B and A of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (9, 10). He also served in company B of the 1st Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry (9, 10).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 1 November 1861 (1, 8, 10). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Casner (8). He was mustered in as a private in company K, by Lieutenant T H Parsons (1, 8).
He deserted on 18 September 1862, while on the march from Monocacy to South Mountain (6). He returned from desertion on 8 March 1863 (2).
He deserted on 29 April 1863 while on the march, near Chancellorsville, Virginia (1, 7, 10 [29 Mar]).
He is reported absent without leave beginning 13 August 1863 (3, 4). On 24 August 1863, he was dropped as a deserter (5).
On 28 December 1908, he applied unsuccessfully from New Jersey for a pension (9, 10).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (John Groff)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 8 March 1863 (Private Groff)
3 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 August 1863 (no one from company K is absent without leave)
4 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 13 August 1863 (not named)
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 24 August 1863 (John Groff)
6 company K, register of deserters, entry 23 (John Groff)
7 company K, register of deserters, entry 25 (John Groff)
8 company K, descriptive roll (John Groff)
9 pension index, by name (John Kern alias John Groff)
10 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (and second card) (John Kern alias John Groff)
[The 1890 veterans' census has a John Kern in New Brunswick, Middlesex, New Jersey, but the census has no information about him]